Placement and internship case studies

I had previously worked closely with Sheffield Music Hub over my 3 years at University through volunteering and the placement offered me a great opportunity to be more involved in providing music for children across the city, facilitating a huge passion of mine.

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I was required to send in my CV to the company, which was followed by an interview process. The interview involved questions and discussions with the Head of Music Education, Sheffield and a project coordinator, a 5 minute audition with an instrument and piece of choice, and a discussion with administrative staff.

Leading and managing groups of children and organising and data basing the library of music.

Throughout my placement, I was involved in a large amount of performances and summer music workshops. My responsibilities during these events included organising instruments and resources, including managing the performances and performers, leading groups of children in orchestras and bands, performing with some orchestras, teaching parts of the summer workshops and people managing. Within the office, I was required to organise their music library, involving making the music accessible through creation of a database, so that everything was up-to-date and music leaders were able to access the music that they needed quickly and efficiently.

I love the interaction with the other music leaders as they mostly had the same passions as myself and interests, and it was great to see other ways that music could be provided for children in ways I had not seen previously. I also really enjoyed leading the children and giving them the opportunity to enjoy music as much as myself. Sheffield Music Hub is also a brilliant company to work for and I felt respected, appreciated and a useful part of a large, successful team.

Organising the library and putting it into a database was time consuming as there was so much to go through. Adding to fact that I aim to complete all my tasks to the highest level possible, it was difficult to feel fulfilled and a sense of achievement was hard to acquire as the task felt never ending and incomplete.

Yes- my knowledge of music and the volunteering and research I had done over the past 3 years with my degree, especially in children's education of music, massively aided me in providing the best education and leading music workshops.

Yes- I am now teaching in a primary school after realising my potential in teaching and providing a high-quality education, but I also know that I would like to return to providing to music to a larger audience at some point in the near future as I highly see the importance and have a huge passion for giving music education and access to music to as many children as possible.

Definitely apply to internships that you are offered or discover, especially if they are related to your field of work as it gives you real life experiences and the opportunity to develop so many skills. Not only have I had the chance to gain more confidence and experience for myself, but I have also had to opportunity to work for a brilliant company and promote the skills that I have in a way that have positively effected other people.